Arts & Culture

HOLLAND - Performing live in Times Square is among the highlights of Hope College Sacred Dance Ministry's participation in "Project Dance" in New York City during the weekend of April 15-17.

New York-based Project Dance was founded in 2002 as a way of bringing hope and healing to the broken streets of New York following the events of 911. Today events are held around the world in major cities including not only New York, but Hong Kong, Sydney, Toronto, Houston, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Manila and others, offering the universal language of dance to the public through outdoor open-air concerts.

Holland in Bloom announces Bloomin' Beautiful - Best Front Yard Contest. In this competition, neighbors and friends can nominate yards to be their favorite choice for the “Bloomin’ Beautiful - Best Front Yard” in Holland. Winners will be announced via the Holland in Bloom website (www.hollandinbloom.org) and the Holland In Bloom Facebook page on the first of June, July and August. The nomination process will begin May 7, 2011. Nomination forms and a complete list of criteria can be found online at www.hollandinbloom.org/competitions.html and at various downtown business locations. Deadline for nominations will be the 27th of each month. The first deadline for June nominations is May 27, 2011.

Please join us for our annual Spring Fling Arts & Craft Show at the Holland Town Center! Friday from 4-9pm and Saturday from 9-4pm. 12330 James Street Holland, MI 49424. Near the Dutch Village (Factory Outlets).

HOLLAND – The “Sundays at 2” recital series coordinated by the department of music at Hope College will feature the duo of violinst Gao Can and pianist Eubyol Ko on Sunday, April 17, at 2 p.m. in Dimnent Memorial Chapel.The public is invited. Admission is free.

The major works on the program include the “Sonata for Violin and Piano in G Major,” by Maurice Ravel, and the “D Minor Piano Trio in D Minor, Op. 49,” by Felix Mendelssohn. The duo will be joined by Grand Rapids Symphony cellist, Alicia Eppinga, for a trio.

“We are incredibly excited to have this duo performing at Hope College,” said Dr. Adam Clark, assistant professor of music. “They are each world-class musicians and bring such brilliance and life to whatever they play.

West Ottawa senior percussionist Tyler Bonkowski was selected to perform in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival Honor Band for the second year in a row while the school’s percussion ensemble was chosen as a finalist for the MYAF’s Outstanding Percussion Ensemble for the sixth straight year.

Bonkowski earned the honor by having one of the top five scores in Michigan on his percussion solo at State Solo and Ensemble Festival. He will be featured with the MYAF Honor Band on a concert May 14 at Western Michigan University’s Miller Auditorium. The Honor Band will be under the direction of Central Michigan University Director of Bands John Williamson.

The West Ottawa ensemble was selected by their State Solo and Ensemble judge to be a finalist for the recognition.

HOLLAND – A jazz chamber ensembles concert at Hope College will feature the Blue Note, Verve, Vanguard and Impulse ensembles on Monday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. in Wichers Auditorium of Nykerk Hall of Music. The public is invited. Admission is free.

The Blue Note Ensemble is coached by Steve Talaga, instructor of music, jazz, piano and composition. The ensemble will perform “Ornithology,” by Charlie Parker; “Road Song,” by Wes Montgomery; “Stolen Moments,” by Oliver Nelson; and “Afro Blue” by Mongo Santamaria.